Intensive Learning

Souheang Ly is a visionary educator and a driving force behind YEP Academy. By masterfully weaving together her pedagogical roots, advanced yoga expertise, and a deep-seated passion for the environment, Souheang has pioneered a new frontier in experiential learning. She is renowned for her ability to transform the outdoors into a dynamic classroom, where she guides individuals to unlock their physical potential and cultivate radical mindfulness. As a vibrant facilitator, Souheang doesn’t just lead sessions; she creates transformative spaces that bridge the gap between human spirit and the natural world, setting a high standard for holistic personal development.

Dirk Reber is a co-founder of the YEP Academy. He is an outstanding facilitator, coach & mentor with major qualifications in diverse outdoor settings. With his positive energy, optimism and scope of ambitions, he likes to see young people grow. He is fully convinced that empowerment requires nature as a learning field. As one of few, he is active in combining leadership, and outdoor and development cooperation. Besides providing strategic direction, Dirk is conducting the one-year Youth Leadership and Facilitation Program within the YEP Academy.

Lida Chhun is a first-generation graduate of the Youth Leadership and Facilitation Program. With her confident and emotional character, she has developed a deep passion for environmental protection. Especially climate change is particularly to her heart: “We are part of the planet and it’s our responsibility to take care of our home”. She is fully convinced, that more young people need to be engaged to protect the environment and stop climate change. Besides working as a sustainability coordinator in the food industry, Lida is conducting the Climate Change Trainings within the YEP Academy.

Annie Kukreja is deeply passionate about addressing the PM2.5 air pollution crisis in Thailand and is actively involved in developing projects to tackle this pressing issue. Additionally, she is committed to contributing to global efforts to mitigate the severity of climate change. With a focus on hands-on experience and a continuous pursuit of knowledge, Annie finds inspiration in sustainable development and conservation practices. Join Annie on her journey as she strives to make a meaningful difference in the realm of environmental stewardship and climate action.

Dominik is an outdoor guide and facilitator with experience in diverse landscapes, from the boreal forests of Europe to the humid jungles of South East Asia. Growing up in rural Germany, he discovered early in life that nature is not only the best teacher, but also where he can anchor his mind and soul. His driving passion is to create chances for others to experience this serenity for themselves. Through his calm and caring attitude, he hopes to enable participants to feel comfortable and safe in nature. Now he is working on bringing unique YEP empowerment and learning opportunities to young adults in Vietnam.

Vati is an outdoor enthusiast. From two-week backpacking expeditions through the canyons of Utah with LGBTQ+ activists to navigating the dense, humid jungles of Cambodia, nature is where she truly finds peace and fulfilment in the small moments of life. She is passionate about the educational aspect of the outdoors, from well-being to survival skills to craft-making. Vati’s philosophy is ‘be a main character in your life’, so find yourself and live your life regardless of the noise of modern society.

Huy Ing Lay (Hill) is a facilitator specializing in deep nature connection and ecotherapy. Her work weaves together principles of ecopsychology with immersive, sensory-based practices that restore a vital, reciprocal relationship between people and the natural world. With a focus on presence, awareness, and lived sensory experience, Hill facilitates individuals beyond intellectual understanding and back into direct connection.Through this process, participants rediscover a profound simplicity of being and an embodied sense of belonging within nature.

Sam Ang grew up in a rural village. He has always been fascinated by nature. After finishing high school, he got the opportunity to join the tourism school, Ecole Paul du Brule. Sam Ang returned to his hometown after graduation but was disappointed by the amount of change in the environment and tourism. He thinks he could be part of the solution by engaging tourism with outdoor activities and adventure. Sam Ang is facilitating an adventure camp at the YEP Academy.

Having a passion for outdoor learning, Socheata Chun graduated from the Training of Trainer program at YEP Academy, which supports her simple living lifestyle of protecting and respecting natural diversities. With her background in managing a global citizen education program, she is potentially leading the young generation to be aware of global issues and initiate solutions for all. Based on this experience, she is keen on raising awareness of social and environmental knowledge in the community, especially deepening into climate change, which needs to be solved.

Khaisinh Mounh has a passion for travel, technology, and social work and enjoys training others. He is a driven individual currently working as a data analyst at a private company. He also finds solace in reading books and enjoying the outdoors through various activities such as hiking and camping. At YEP Academy, Khaisinh facilitates an outdoor program called "Unlock Your EQ in the Nature Setting". He lives by the philosophy that regardless of how intelligent one may be, without the ability to work with people, one's dream will remain just that.

Nimey Rin is a dynamic young leader who has made a name for herself through her passion for empowering youth and tackling climate change. Currently, she is serving as the acting national general secretary of an NGO. Nimey is passionate about traveling, exploring, reading, working with young people, and developing leadership programs that help foster growth and development. At YEP Academy, she facilitates programs that support youth empowerment, which falls under the topic of "Leadership".

Pouk Leakhena’s childhood, spent in connection with nature, has profoundly influenced her life. The lesson from exploring the sea, mountains, and running on hills as a cowherd has shaped and filled her values, health, and relationships. She always encourages people to embrace an active lifestyle intertwined with nature and mindfulness by doing regular meditation; she believes that it enriches our life in ways that are both profound and lasting. She insists humans should appreciate the beauty of the natural world and make time for outdoor activities that nurture bodies, minds, and spirits!

Sowichea isn't just an activist; he’s a guardian of the wild. Having served on the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team and as a national park ranger, he has spent years on the front lines, defending Cambodia’s biodiversity against illegal threats. Today, he is pivoting from protection to inspiration. ​As a graduate of the Outdoor Youth Leadership and Facilitation program, Sowichea believes that the best way to save the forest is to fall in love with it. He is now channeling his "boots-on-the-ground" experience into the YEP-Academy, where he leads adventure camps that transform young people into the next generation of environmental stewards. For Sowichea, the mission remains the same—only now, his greatest tools are leadership and the great outdoors.

Malay is an adventurous, enthusiastic, and determined individual passionate about promoting Ecotourism in Cambodia through traveling, leading, and sharing knowledge with people. Upon returning from abroad, his passion for being an outdoor enthusiast has pushed him to travel around Cambodia, visiting untouched and exotic locations with the local people. Having no background in tourism before, he is now equipped with advanced outdoor skills and has become one of the YEP Academy's talented trainers.

Sopanuth Chea, a dedicated outdoor enthusiast turned tour leader, brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role. Having honed his skills as an outdoor trainer and graduated from the YEP-Academy Training of Trainers program, his vibrant energy and enthusiasm shine through as he facilitates the "Comprehensive Outdoor Skills" training, empowering others to explore and thrive in nature. Beyond his training responsibilities, Sopanuth also leads adventure programs in kayaking and mountain bike cycling, further enriching the outdoor experiences of those he guides.

Kunthea Thith is passionate about outdoor and environmental activities. Describing herself as a life-long learner, she has worked in different positions for a variety of organisations in the nature protection field. Being a graduate of the Youth Leadership and Facilitation Program, she realized that encouraging young people to challenge themselves by connecting to nature is the way of empowerment. With her kind and sensitive energy, Kunthea is facilitating the Nature Camps within the YEP-Academy.

Trexz Souvannasy is the founder of the Message for the Future Pakse Volunteers. He was raised in Paksong district, Champasak province, in southern Laos. For his entire life, Trexz was exposed closely to nature and had a primitive livelihood that unescapably relied on nature. Therefore, all skills in the outdoors automatically run by themselves within him. Despite running tirelessly behind this fast-changing world, Trexz firmly believes that humans can rebuild our extinct senses by spending enough time in nature.